You are in the official 2000-2001 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Physics
The College of Science and Mathematics
MICHAEL J. ZENDER, Chair
DAUNETTE DRYDEN, Administrative Support Coordinator
McLane Hall, Room 169
(559) 278-2371
(559) 278- 7741 FAX
http://physics.csufresno.edu/
Minor in Physical
Science
Single Subject Teaching Credential
in the Sciences
Faculty
Michael J. Zender, Chair
Vanvilai Katkanant, Undergraduate Adviser
Manfred Bucher, Graduate Adviser
Parameswar Hari, Preoptometry Adviser
Gerardo Munoz, Graduate Adviser
James P. Vesenka, Premedical Adviser
Steven J. White, Downing Planetarium Director
Floyd L. Judd, Brandt Kehoe, Douglas Singelton, James P. Vesenka
Physics
The fascination of physics is that it is so fundamental: the continuing
attempt to understand how things work. It combines observational and experimental
grappling with nature to get the facts of behavior, with the creative synthesis
of these facts into theories and laws of nature, often beautiful in their
simplicity and universality.
Albert Einstein said, "They [the laws of theoretical physics] should
form the basis from which a picture of all processes of nature can be derived
by thoughtful deduction -- and these include also the processes of life."
He also said, "The deeper we search, the more we find there is to know,
and as long as human life exists, I believe it will always be so."
More specifically, physics includes the study of the fundamental particles
that make up nuclear particles, of electromagnetic, gravitational, atomic
and nuclear forces, of energy, of light and heat, of electronics and the
structure of materials, of the interiors of the earth and the stars.
Faculty and Facilities
We have two medium-power lasers, which enhance our capabilities in modern optical studies, including Raman spectroscopy and nonlinear optics. The department has well-equipped research laboratories with laminar flow hoods, evaporative and ion beam sputtering chambers, and high temperature ovens for thin film research. We also have a fully-equipped scanning probe microscope with low current scanning tunneling, lateral force and intermittent contact atomic force imaging capabilities - contained in an environmentally controlled chamber for research involving the self assembly of biomolecules. A dedicated networked computer houses an SPM image library for K-12 education purposes.
Another ongoing research project involves fullerenes, the cage-like molecules formed entirely from carbon. We are able to produce gram quantities of fullerenes in our computer-controlled plasma generator. Current fullerene projects include the measurement of the polarizability and electric dipole moments of metal-doped fullerenes.
High energy particle physics experiments and semiconductor research dealing with solar cells and optical fibers are also part of our current experimental efforts. Two faculty members do theoretical work in particle physics and field theory and several are interested in physics pedagogy.
In addition, our physical facilities have just undergone a multimillion dollar renovation. The renovation project substantially improves both our research and teaching capabilities.
The Downing Planetarium. The Downing Planetarium, which is operated by the Physics Department, was completed during the 2000 spring semester. The planetarium features a computer-controlled Spitz A3P star projector and a main theater which seats 74 in reclining seats under a thirty-foot dome. The facility includes a teacher resource center and presents multi-media shows on a daily basis. Physics students have the opportunity to participate in presenting the shows and to assist in planetarium operation.
A remote robotic observatory (which will be situated in the nearby foothills) is in the planning stage. Students interested in astronomy will be able to perform observation projects using a computer-controlled 16" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and a CCD camera. The telescope will be controlled from campus and students will be able to electronically download images on campus without having to go to the telescope site.
Career Opportunities
Approximately half of our bachelor's and master's degree graduates have gone directly into graduate school at various institutions, pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in physics or related fields. The other half have found employment in teaching, in industry, in government, and in the medical professions. We have also observed a recent increase in the demand for high school physics teachers.
Physics graduates have the versatility, knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to adapt quickly to the opportunities which arise in the dynamic world of modern science and high technology. Our graduates report interesting, exciting careers with increasing levels of responsibility and satisfaction.
